The Abolition of Sanity: C.S. Lewis on the Consequences of Modernism

by Steve Turley

Why does it seem like the world is falling apart? Everywhere we look today, the world is changing, and not for the better. For many of us, such political and cultural changes have been so dramatic that we no longer recognize our societies anymore. So what's going on?This book has the answer!In this masterful work, 'The Abolition of Man,' C.S. Lewis observes how the modern world is in fact changing our conception of what it means to be human by sequestering humanity from the objective values that made us most human. Focusing on modern educational reforms, Lewis noted that instead of virtue formation, modern educational practices perpetuate a mechanistic vision of the world comprised of scientifically inspired control over nature and, as a necessary consequence, humans. HERE’S A PREVIEW OF WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ……….How modernist assumptions about the world differ drastically from classical and Christian onesHow modernism is radically reshaping a fundamentally different conception of humanityWhat role education plays in perpetuating modernist norms about the worldHow the role of virtue and wisdom formation can become a powerful antidote to these secularizing tendenciesAnd much, much more ....along with a whole BONUS SECTION of study questions and answers to group discussion!!In this insightful and thought provoking book, you will discover C.S. Lewis’ invitation to challenge the modernist assumptions of our age by rediscovering the doctrine of objective values and, in so doing, you will rediscover a hope for truly human flourishing for generations to come.Get your copy today!

Genres: Philosophy, Cultural, Christian, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2019

About the author

Dr. Steve Turley is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker, and blogger at www.turleytalks.com. He is the author of 'Awakening Wonder: A Classical Guide to Truth, Goodness, and Beauty' and 'The Ritualized Revelation of the Messianic Age: Washings and Meals in Galatians and 1 Corinthians'. Dr. Turley is a teacher of Theology, Greek, and Rhetoric at Tall Oaks Classical Christian School in Bear, Delaware, and a professor of Fine Arts at Eastern University.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but more like an explanation of major points from The Abolition of Man, instead of actual analysis. Doesn't make many new connections.

Free copy here: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/400141...

[Alan Rennê · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente introdução à obra A Abolição do Homem, de C. S. Lewis.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short intro. There were a few nuggets in here that helped understand what Lewis is arguing. I wish this were like twice as long. The book ends with quotes and discussion questions which were hugely helpful.

[raffaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful as a summary for The Abolition of Man, but I would've preferred more in-depth analysis. I probably just need to read what Michael Ward's new book After Humanity.

[Timothy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I Get It! (Lewis' Abolition of Man)

Having previously failed to make it through C.S. Lewis' "The Abolition of Man", Dr. Turley has now provided a primer that I read with ease. I saved the question section for the next day and was pleased to find myself ready to answer each query.
This is a book worth more than the brief time and little effort it took to digest.
Thank you Dr. Turley!

[Skye Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great study and commentary of C.S Lewis’, “The Abolition of Man.” I really loved the author’s insights and his explanation of some of Lewis’ thoughts and ideas. I also enjoyed the questions for thought/group discussion at the end. I think that, “The Abolition of Man,” is one of Lewis’ best and one that is so incredibly applicable in our world and lives today. I yearn so badly for a mass return to the, “Tao,” for a world that loves the virtuous, and turns away from all that does not uplift. I yearn for a world in which we choose a better, higher way. And I hope and pray for a revolutionary change in the way we choose to live, to think, to educate, and to believe.

“Lewis writes: And all the time – such is the tragi-comedy of our situation – we continue to clamour for those very qualities we are rendering impossible. You can hardly open a periodical without coming across the statement that what our civilization needs is more ‘drive,’ or dynamism, or self-sacrifice, or ‘creativity.’ In a sort of ghastly simplicity, we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.”

[Joseph Raborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Nice discussion of Abolition of Man

This is a nice little pamphlet discussing the problems Lewis brings up in his The Abolition of Man. You might well get all of that stuff just by reading the original book, but Turley does include a nice afterward on what questions to ask in a group discussion.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps helpful as a summary of C.S. Lewis’ “Abolition of Man,” but that is about it. No new insights or analysis. As short as Lewis’ book is, why not just read it instead?

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short essays loosely arranged around Lewis’s classic essay, The Abolition of Man. The latter sections are on nationalism, for some strange reason.

[Lucas Motta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma leitura bem rapidinha e que ajuda bastante na compreensão do monumento que é A abolição do homem.

[Damned Snake]

It's good reminder of "The Abolition of Man", but you don't need to read it if you already red "The Abolition of Man" as it is already understandly written, through this book should be rather recommended to parents wanting to explain the complexity of world to their kids which i support as maybe society is sick and postindustrial capitalism is an evolutionary missmatch for humans but you can't protect future generations from it and teaching the values withuot teaching why they exist is nothing but setting a groundwork for future rebellion against them which we see in Queer theory which just wants to tremple all what restrains our desires and drives. It's hard to rate this book for me, as if this book was for me, a parent of a child wanting to take care of intellectual development of kid which i'm not, i would propably rate it around 4-5 but as for someone who looked for summary of philosophy of C.S. Lewis rate would be around three so ill restrain myself from ranking this book

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Total disapointment

I was expecting something on the lines of the modern world not something from the 1940s. I understand you admire Lewis but I am sorry I do not, nor do I particularly care for philosophy and religion. I enjoy your show because you make things understandable but I am not Christian and tend to ignore your periodic rants!

[Christopher Blosser · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent 'Cliff Notes' style pamphlet summarizing C.S. Lewis' Abolition of Man. One might be better off just reading the actual book, which is a classic. At the same time, Turley does provide some good questions for discussion in the appendix which I would envision would be suitable for guiding a group discussion of the text.

[João Paulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livreto muito bom, com uma ótima análise sobre o livro "A Abolição do Homem", de C. S. Lewis. Eu já havia lido o livro de Lewis antes de ler esse livro (nem havia me atentado que era sobre isso, pensei que era sobre outra coisa, rs, nem vi o resumo).

Bem, por esse livro fiquei satisfeito em descobrir que não sou um completo tolo sem educação, haha, porque o livro de Lewis é pesado mesmo. Sou parte da geração mais burra "que os pais", isto é, o fim do ensino cristão clássico, o abandono da educação por meio do Trivium e do Quadrivium, do ensino das virtudes, etc., tem legado pessoas utilitaristas, cínicas, etc., ou seja, a típica educação que recebi, com ressalvas de ser cristão e, por conta da fé e da Graça de Deus, perceber que havia algo de muito errado com a escola, com a mídia, enfim, com a mentalidade do mundo presente.

Eu recomendo a leitura para quem deseja compreender a análise de Lewis, pois fica bem claro com esse "apud" do Steve Turley. Ainda há um apêndice com perguntas respostas para quem desejar usar o livro em pequenos grupos da igreja ou de qualquer outra organização que queira pensar em um mundo ignóbil.

[J.A. A Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

C.S. Lewis points out something I stumble upon debates between Jordan B. Peterson and Sam Harris that touches closely what a world removed from objective values, morality, ethics, would look like; although, this book points out the important bits that's actually covered in The Abolition of Man by Lewis, it does paint in few brush strokes. I do recognize these patterns how technology and science emergence on the masses has a played a role in breeding more mental illness than prior before and as I watch for it all to unfold I will take highlights what is becoming of humanity and perhaps write about in a novel...

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A precis of The Abolition of Man, ending with discussion questions suitable for a book study group. If you have read Abolition of Man and found it challenging, Turley's distillation should prove helpful in aiding digestion of the original. It's certainly timely, as we find ourselves deeper and deeper in the postmodern abyss, our societies increasingly marked by chaos, nihilism, and distraction.

[Alicia Marsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice summary

For those who find the Abolition of Man to be a somewhat daunting, or non-attractive book, this is a good summary and highlights C.S. Lewis’ main points well. I am prefer the original, but with its catchy title and clear explication, this book may help spread the word.

[Preston Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick overview that captures the essence

I thought that there might be more here about the clear modern trends that confirm Lewis's work. That book needs to be written. This is a functional summary of The Abolition of Man.

[Sean Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

You could read Lewis' The Abolition of Man without reading this. You should not read this without reading Lewis (and while you're at it, That Hideous Strength). That said, there's no harm in reading this, especially if it reminds you to go and read Lewis.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

As many of the other readers have already stated, this is mostly a summary of Lewis's work, but Turley does provide a clear analysis of the work, and it was a good reminder of the principles that Lewis talks about.

[Nathan Ogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent summary and commentary of the original text by C.S. Lewis. Turley manages to grasp the subtle nuances of a very loud and strong statement by Lewis. This and others like it should be standard reading for those who really want to see a culture worth preserving preserved.

[Bradley Endsor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really quick and helpful overview to Lewis's Abolition of Man. Quick read and helps explain some of the book in a way that is helpful. Has some group questions and further reflections which could be helpful for discussing the book with others

[J.P. Willson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly has given me a completely different outlook on modern day circumstance.
Makes one think, indeed.

[Samuel Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic summary. And beautiful correlations drawn with contemporary politics and social problems.

[Mark O'mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good primer on C S Lewis’s The Abolition of Man and associated points.

[Jay Spiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

The Abolition of Man is one of my favorite C.S. Lewis reads. The concepts in this book were accurately captured and explained in an easy to understand format.

[Camila Rezende · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um complemento importante e bastante esclarecedor sobre a Abolição do Homem.

[Ron Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Primer on a Neglected Work

Readers will find this to be a helpful overview to C. S. Lewis' work "The Abortion of Man.". The questions are helpful and useful.

[Mark A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple explanation of Lewis’s _The Abolition of Man_. Helpful.